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Eye on Extremism
March 7, 2022
The New York Times: ISIS Claims Bombing Of Pakistani Mosque, Killing Dozens
“A bomb tore through a Shiite mosque in Peshawar, in northwestern Pakistan, on Friday, killing at least 57 people and wounding more than 100 in one of the worst terrorist attacks in Pakistan in several years. The Islamic State’s regional affiliate, Islamic State Khorasan, or ISIS-K, claimed responsibility, according to a translation of an ISIS statement by the SITE Intelligence Group. The statement said the bombing was carried out by an Afghan suicide bomber. The Islamic State, a Sunni Muslim terrorist group that considers Shiites heretics, has claimed several previous attacks in Pakistan but the mosque bombing was the biggest and deadliest yet. Police officials said that at least one gunman on a motorcycle had killed two police guards before entering the mosque and detonating what appeared to be a suicide vest, while another official said there were two attackers. The attack was one of the deadliest in years to hit Peshawar, a city of roughly two million people near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. In 2014, nine Taliban gunmen killed more than 140 people at the Army Public School and Degree College there. “We are trying to figure out and determine what happened,” Moazzam Jah, the provincial police chief, said Friday.”
United States
Reuters: Ericsson, CEO Sued In U.S. Court Over Conduct In Iraq
“Swedish telecoms company Ericsson (ERICb.ST), its chief executive and chief financial officer have been named as defendants in a U.S. class action lawsuit for misleading investors about the company's dealings in Iraq, a filing to a New York court said on Friday. Ericsson is at the centre of a scandal over potential payments to the Islamic State in Iraq. On Wednesday the U.S. Department of Justice said it was in breach of a 2019 deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) for failing to fully disclose details of its operations in Iraq. The filing, by law firm Pomerantz to the District Court of Eastern District of New York, said that Ericsson among other things had misled investors by overstating the extent to which it had eliminated the use of bribes. An Ericsson spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment but Ericsson said in a brief statement that the company and “certain (company) officers” had been named as defendants in connection with “allegedly false and misleading statements” concerning Iraq. Under the conditions of the 2019 DPA, Ericsson paid more than $1 billion to resolve a series of corruption probes, involving bribery in China, Vietnam and Djibouti, and agreed to cooperate with the department for ongoing investigations.”
CNBC: Supreme Court Reinstates Death Sentence For Boston Marathon Bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
“The Supreme Court on Friday reinstated the death penalty sentence imposed on Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, reversing a lower federal appeals court ruling that had voided that punishment. In its 6-3 ruling, the high court rejected arguments by Tsarnaev’s lawyers that his trial judge erred in barring certain questions to prospective jurors, and in blocking evidence of his brother Tamerlan’s role in a prior triple murder. “Dzhokhar Tsarnaev committed heinous crimes,” Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the majority opinion. “The Sixth Amendment nonetheless guaranteed him a fair trial before an impartial jury. He received one. The judgment of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit is reversed,” Thomas wrote. All six of the court’s conservatives voted to reinstate the death penalty, while the three liberal justices all dissented. “Legal rulings don’t erase trauma and pain. Our focus today, and always, is on the hundreds of families that were deeply impacted and traumatized by this horrific act of domestic terrorism,” the U.S. Attorney for Massachussetts, Rachael Rollins, said in a statement later Friday. It is unclear when, or even if, Tsarnev will be executed for committing the April 15, 2013, bombings.”
Syria
The National: At Least 13 Syrian Soldiers Killed In Former ISIS Stronghold
“Thirteen soldiers were killed in an ambush on a desert road near Palmyra in eastern Syria on Sunday, government media service Sana reported. The news agency said 18 soldiers were also wounded in the attack that involved a variety of weapons. British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed ISIS for the attack and reported the death toll as 15. Despite the fall of the self-proclaimed ISIS “caliphate” in 2019, the group continues to launch deadly attacks from hideouts in the Syrian desert, which extends from the outskirts of the capital Damascus to the Iraqi border. The Observatory, which relies on a network of sources across the country, said the death toll could rise as most of the wounded soldiers were in a serious condition. ISIS did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack. Syrian soldiers are occasionally moved across country by bus, a high-risk mode of transport given the large concentration of men within a single unarmoured vehicle. In January, ISIS militants fired rockets and an anti-aircraft gun at a bus travelling in the same area, killing five soldiers. In October, 27 Syrian soldiers were killed when a bus in Damascus was blown up by two bombs. Two similar attacks in central Syria and in Damascus in January killed eight soldiers.”
Afghanistan
France 24: Taliban's Secretive Haqqani Network Leader Finally Shows His Face
“One of the Taliban's most secretive leaders, whose only picture on US “most wanted” lists is a grainy semi-covered profile, was photographed openly for the first time Saturday at a passing-out parade for new Afghan police recruits. Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who also heads the feared Haqqani Network, has previously only been photographed clearly from behind -- even since the hardline Islamists seized power last August. “For your satisfaction and for building your trust... I am appearing in the media in a public meeting with you,” he said in a speech at the parade. Before the Taliban's return, Haqqani was the most senior of three deputies to leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Akhundzada himself hasn't been seen in public for years, and many Afghan analysts believe he may not even be alive. Haqqani heads a powerful subset of the Taliban blamed for some of the worst violence of the past 20 years. The United States has offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest, saying he was responsible for a string of terror attacks. Pictures of Haqqani were being widely shared on social media Saturday by Taliban officials who had previously only posted photographs that didn't show his face, or if it had been digitally blurred.”
Yemen
Asharq Al-Awsat: US Delegation Visits Yemen For Talks On Economy, Terrorism
“A US delegation discussed in Yemen the country’s security, economic and development needs, as well as efforts to combat terrorism and illegal smuggling. US Envoy to Yemen Tim Lenderking and Chargé d’Affaires for the US Embassy in the country Cathy Westley conducted a visit to the governorates of Shabwa, Hadramaut and Mahra. On a rare visit to the southeastern Shabwa governorate on Thursday, Lenderking and Westley discussed with the governor, Awad Al-Awlaki, developments on the economic and security levels, in the presence of officials from the Arab Coalition for the Support of Legitimacy in Yemen. Local sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the US delegation “focused on the security aspect, achieving security and stability, and combating terrorism.” Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources said: “The visit represented support for the governor’s efforts and followed a previous meeting with the chargé d’affaires of the embassy, which took place via video call.” Earlier this year, the Southern Giants Brigades liberated three districts northwest of Shabwa from the grip of the Houthi militia, and advanced towards southern Marib, liberating the Harib district, before stopping at that point.”
Middle East
Asharq Al-Awsat: Egyptian-EU Talks Discuss Fight Against Terrorism, Illegal Immigration
“Brussels on Saturday hosted Egyptian-European talks on boosting cooperation in combating terrorism and illegal immigration, as well as coordination on Middle East issues. The talks were held between Egypt’s Ambassador in Brussels Badr Abdel Aty and Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the meeting discussed means of developing Egyptian-European cooperation ties in different domains. The officials discussed cooperation between Egypt and the European Union in energy given Cairo's position as a hub for energy production, trade and distribution. The meeting also tackled Cairo’s regional role in achieving security and stability in crises in the Middle East, mainly in Libya and Syria, in addition to the Palestinian cause and the situation in the Sahel region. The Egyptian statement quoted McAllister as praising Egypt's constructive role in achieving regional security and stability, in addition to Cairo’s efforts in combating terrorism and illegal immigration. The officials addressed the ongoing political, economic and social modernization process taking place in Egypt, notably in wake of the launch of the national strategy for human rights and efforts to bolster education and health services.”
“A global watchdog censured the United Arab Emirates for not doing enough in confronting money laundering and terrorism financing activities, adding it to a list of countries requiring increased monitoring, in a blow to the Middle East nation’s image as a safe business and investment hub. The Financial Action Task Force, a Paris-based intergovernmental body that audits the ability of nations to detect and disrupt illicit finance, on Friday clubbed the U.A.E. with 22 other countries, including Pakistan, Syria and Nicaragua, in a so-called gray list of jurisdictions that are deemed deficient but working with the FATF to improve. Zimbabwe was removed from the list. FATF said the U.A.E. has committed to combating sanctions evasion, increasing resources to use financial intelligence to pursue money laundering, demonstrating a sustained increase in investigations and prosecutions of such activities. The U.A.E. has “made a high-level political commitment” to strengthen the effectiveness of its regime, and over the past two years “has made significant progress…to improve its system,” the FATF said in a statement. Following the announcement, the U.A.E. said it would work closely with the FATF to remedy the identified areas of improvement.”
Nigeria
All Africa: Subdued In Nigeria, Boko Haram Shift Attacks To Its Neighbours
“The 2022 Global Terrorism Index report has indicated that Nigeria's attacks by the deadly terror group, Boko Haram, appear to have declined in the country, as the group is now preoccupied with attacks on neighboring West African countries. Nigeria has also gone down to the sixth position globally, among the countries that have been hard hit by terrorism in 2021, according to the report. It had occupied the third position for more than three years before now. The GTI report said Boko Haram was responsible for only 69 deaths in Nigeria in 2021, a decrease of 77% from the previous year - the lowest number of deaths by the group for a decade. According to the report, the death of Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, significantly affected the group. The report attributed Boko Haram's decline in attacks against it by a rival terror group, Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), and the counter-terrorism efforts of the Nigerian government and foreign military forces. ISWAP split from the Boko Haram group in 2016 but the groups remain united in an insurgency against the Nigerian government that has expanded to neighboring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. Boko Haram, for more than a decade, has been waging an armed insurgency against Nigeria, especially in the country's north-east region, leading to the loss of thousands of lives.”
Mali
Reuters: At Least 27 Soldiers Killed In Central Mali Attack
“A militant attack on an army base in central Mali on Friday killed at least 27 soldiers and wounded 33 more, the government said. Seven soldiers are still missing following the complex attack in the rural commune of Mondoro, which involved car bombs, according to a government statement. Seventy “terrorists” were killed in the military's response, the statement said, without specifying which militant group was responsible. Affiliates of both al Qaeda and Islamic State are active in central Mali. Mali has been facing an Islamist insurgency since al Qaeda-linked militants seized its desert north in 2012, forcing former colonial power France to intervene to drive them back the following year. The militants have since regrouped and seized vast swaths of the Malian countryside, while also expanding into Niger, Burkina Faso and other neighbouring countries. France has maintained thousands of troops across the region since 2013, but announced last month that it would withdraw its forces from Mali as relations with the ruling military junta soured.”
Africa
The Washington Post: Tanzania Drops Terrorism Charges Against Opposition Leader, Releases Him
“A Tanzanian court dropped terrorism-related charges on Friday against opposition leader Freeman Mbowe and three co-accused and ordered their release, their lawyer said. Mbowe, who is chairman of the Party for Democracy and Progress, commonly known as Chadema, was arrested on July 21, 2021, while campaigning for constitutional reforms. He was accused of paying three men to blow up gas stations and of being involved in “terrorism-related” activities. His lawyer, Peter Kibatala, said Mbowe’s release was unexpected, coming on the morning that he was scheduled to testify in court. “We did not know it would happen; we had spent the whole day in prison yesterday preparing Mr. Mbowe and his co-accused for defense,” Kibatala said in a phone interview. “This has come as a pleasant surprise. We are sad that they did not get [to tell] their side of the story but elated that this very sad journey has come to an end,” he added. Mbowe’s party has been pushing for democratic reforms in Tanzania that would reduce the central government's power and give parliament greater oversight. His arrest came just months after the death of the East African country’s former leader, John Magufuli, in March 2021.”
AFP: Tunisia Sentences 16 To Death Over 2016 Terror Attacks In Ben Guerdane
“A Tunisian court sentenced 16 people to death in the first judgements against terrorists involved in 2016 attacks near the Libyan border that left scores dead, media reported on Saturday. A total of 96 people stand accused in the trial relating to the March 2016 events that saw the town of Ben Guerdane become the stage of a bloody battle as members of the Daesh terror (Islamic State) group’s Libya branch staged a series of deadly attacks. The court specialised in terrorism offences handed 16 of the defendants Tunisia’s toughest sentence, though the country has imposed a moratorium on capital punishment since 1991. The remaining defendants were handed sentences ranging from four years to life in prison, though a small but unspecified number of defendants were acquitted, the reports said. The prosecution said it would appeal. Following the attacks in Ben Guerdane, the Tunisian authorities said they had thwarted an attempt by the Daesh terror group to establish a foothold within the country. The attacks killed 13 members of the security forces and seven civilians. In addition, 55 attackers were also killed.”
The Times: Isis Raising Cash In South Africa To Spread Its Message Of Terror
“Sanctions imposed by the United States on four obscure figures in South Africa may have gone almost unnoticed this week, but they point to an unsettling new trend in the spread of global jihadism. They indicate how South Africa, a key western ally in Africa that has been relatively unscathed by the blight of Islamist terror, has emerged as a base for Islamic State as it seeks to extend its influence on the continent. The US Treasury announced on Wednesday that it had designated two South Africans, an Ethiopian and a Tanzanian, all based in South Africa, as organisers or facilitators of Isis activity…”
France
RFI: France Opens Terror Investigation Into Jail Attack Amid New Protests In Corsica
“France's National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office on Thursday opened an inquiry into the violent attack in a southern jail which left Corsican militant Yvan Colonna in a coma. Meanwhile, tension has mounted after his supporters blocked a ferry in the port of Ajaccio on Friday in a bid to prevent police reinforcements arriving on the island. The National agency in charge of anti-terrorism cases (Pnat) said they would investigate the actions of the attacker, Franck Elong Abé, a 36-year old Cameroonian national currently serving a 9 year term for “association with groups planning a terrorist act”. According to sources close to the case, the suspect told investigators his act was in response to “blasphemy” attributed to the victim, who “spoke ill of the prophet”. Yvan Colonna, incarcerated at the Arles prison was attacked on Wednesday while he was working out alone, the victim of “strangulation with bare hands and then choking,” according to Tarascon prosecutor Laurent Gumbau. “The circumstances of this attack and the initial elements leads us to believe it was not motivated on personal grounds. We are pursuing Elong Abé for attempted murder in relation to a terrorist group” the Pnat said, adding the suspect would be transferred to Marseille.”
Germany
The National: German Mother On Terror Charges After 'Joining Women-Only ISIS Unit' In Syria
“A German-Iranian mother has been charged with terrorism offences for allegedly joining a women-only ISIS combat unit after taking her two children to Syria. The woman — identified only as Solale M — was one of three German women arrested in October after they were brought back to the country from a detention camp in north-east Syria. German prosecutors say Solale M travelled to Syria, via Turkey, in June 2014 with her husband and two children whom she brought up in accordance with ISIS ideology in Tabqa and Raqqa. While her husband plotted attacks in Europe by ISIS fighters disguised as refugees, she joined Khatiba Nusaybah, a military battalion comprising only of the wives of ISIS fighters who were taught to use weapons and prepare booby traps, according to the German Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office. The family fled at the end of 2017 as ISIS lost most of its territory but were captured by Kurdish forces. She has now been accused of membership of a terrorist organisation abroad and offences against children. The two other German woman arrested at the same time as Solale M were also charged earlier this year with child protection and terrorism offences. Prosecutors say one of the women took her six-year-old daughter to the stoning of a woman and showed her execution videos.”
Europe
Al Jazeera: Sweden Convicts Mother Of War Crimes Over Minor Fighting For ISIL
“A Swedish court has found a Swedish woman guilty of war crimes for failing to prevent her 12-year-old son from becoming a child soldier in Syria, where he was killed in the civil war. Lina Ishaq, 49, who denied the charges, was sentenced to six years in prison, the Stockholm district court said in a statement on Friday. Ishaq, a Swede who returned from Syria in 2020, was convicted of “grave violation of international law and grave war crime,” the court said. “She, in her capacity as protection guarantor, omitted to prevent her son Joan, 12-15 years, from being recruited by unknown accomplices and used as child soldier on behalf of IS in the armed conflict in Syria,” it said, referring to the ISIL (ISIS) armed group. The boy, born in 2001, died in 2017, the Swedish prosecution authority said, without providing the cause of death. The woman and her husband had been part of a “cult-like” environment and in April 2013 she brought her son to join his father and an older son in Syria. The court found that she must have understood that her son was used as a child soldier. “She has not taken adequate steps to stop this, neither has she wanted to stop it, but his role as a child soldier had been in accordance with her convictions,” the court said.”
The Times Of Israel: White Supremacists Condemn Ukraine Conflict As A ‘Brother War’; Some Blame Jews
“White supremacists around the world have largely condemned the violence in Ukraine as a “brother war” between two white European countries, researchers of extremism have said. Opinions about the war are varied, and it’s not clear if the majority of far-right extremists side with Russia or Ukraine, but most sympathize with Ukrainian civilians. Some have blamed Jews for the conflict, calling it a conspiracy. “The overarching narrative or agreement, if there was one, is the idea of this being a ‘brother war,’ so basically a white Christian nation versus another white Christian nation, and that is something a lot of these groups have spoken out against,” said Callum Farley, an investigative researcher with the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL released a report on Thursday detailing the extremist response to the war, mostly based on public and private chats and statements by the far-right, white supremacists, and others. There is no clear blame for the war’s outbreak among the far-right. Many white extremists are upset by the Russian army’s killing of white, Ukrainian civilians. Graphic footage of attacks on Ukrainian cities has circulated in far-right chat groups on the Telegram messaging application.”
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